Climate change and environmental health
The impacts of climate change in Aotearoa New Zealand will become more pronounced as time goes on.
Pātiki and Waharua Kōpito patterns
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Climate change is already affecting our climate. It is likely to impact our agriculture and other climate-sensitive industries, our native ecosystems, infrastructure, health and biosecurity, as well as having broader social and economic impacts.
New Zealand can expect to see changes in wind and sea current patterns, storm tracks, the occurrence of droughts and frosts and the frequency of heavy rainfall events, as well as rising temperatures.
All-of-government response
The Ministry for the Environment leads the all of Government climate change activity and coordinates the work of central Government agencies.
Climate change - Ministry for the Environment
In July 2013 the Office of the Chief Science Advisor released a report entitled New Zealand’s Changing Climate and Oceans, reviewing the latest science and its consequences for New Zealand. The report also included information on the impacts of climate change on human health. These impacts were considered to be an increased likelihood of mosquito disease vectors establishing in New Zealand and an increase in the numbers and severity of extreme weather events (eg, droughts, floods).
New Zealand's Changing Climate and Oceans (PDF 633KB) - Office of the Chief Science Advisor
Impacts of climate change on health
In October 2017, the Royal Society of New Zealand Te Aparangi released a document entitled Human Health Impacts of Climate Change for New Zealand. This report provided an evidence summary of how climate change will affect the health of New Zealanders. The impacts identified are:
- direct health impacts of climate change (increased flooding, fires and infrastructure damage, displacement and extreme temperatures)
- indirect health impacts of climate change (harmful algal blooms, microbial contamination, food availability, quality and safety, mental health and well-being, outdoor air quality, carriers of new diseases, migration of tropical species into New Zealand
- potential health benefits from mitigating climate change effects.
Climate Change Health National Action Plan
The Ministry of Health | Manatū Hauora published New Zealand’s first Health National Adaptation Plan in October 2024.
The Plan establishes a foundation for building climate resilience within our health system and beyond.
Health National Adaptation Plan 2024-2027 - Ministry of Health
Environmental health indicators
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora contracts Massey University to maintain a set of environmental health indicators that describe the link between the environment and health. They are based on known or plausible cause-and-effect relationships between the environment and health. The indicators provide information for action. They provide key evidence to help decision-makers, and raise awareness of environmental health risks, to improve human health. Climate-related indicators help assess the health impacts of climate. This is regardless of whether there is a significant degree of ‘change’ over the time that the indicators are measured. The indicators include temperature (days over 25°C, days under 0°C); rainfall and drought (days of soil moisture deficit); climate change as a health issue (notifications of cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, salmonellosis; population groups more at risk than others to the effects of a changing climate).
Environmental Health Intelligence New Zealand - Massey University
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Sustainable and resilient
We’re working towards achieving climate and seismic resilience across our hospitals and facilities. -
Health National Adaptation Plan 2024-2027 (goes to another website)
This first Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP) is an important step towards placing health considerations at the forefront of the climate response of Aotearoa New Zealand. -
Environmental Health Intelligence New Zealand (goes to another website)
Environmental Health Intelligence NZ provides information and intelligence on how the environment affects the health of Aotearoa New Zealand's population. -
Climate Change, Health and Wellbeing: ESR (The Institute of Environmental Science and Research) (goes to another website)
From rising temperatures to increased flooding, ESR is working to understand and respond to the consequences of climate change, to safeguard Aotearoa now and for future generations. -
Climate Change and Environmental Health Report: ESR (goes to another website)
This document provides an overview of the projected effects of climate change on environmental health, and how it may impact on the health of New Zealanders. -
Fire and smoke
Fires can expose people to a range of hazardous substances. -
The Environmental Case Management of Persons Exposed to Harmful Algal Bloom and Cyanobacteria: Guidelines for Public Health Officers (goes to another website)
The guidelines provide information about the risks from algae and cyanobacteria and guide public health officers who may be investigating suspected cases or outbreaks. -
Heat Health Plans: Guidelines
These guidelines are aimed at health, community, and local government organisations to help them prepare their own heat health response plans.